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Thomas Hammarberg: ''The conflict in South Caucasus was a humanitarian disaster''

Thomas Hammarberg: ''The conflict in South Caucasus was a humanitarian disaster''
[02/12/2008]

''The armed conflict in South Caucasus had grave humanitarian consequences, also because it came at a time of the harvest, disrupting the normal cycle of farming,'' Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, stated during the debate on the conflict in South Caucasus. ''My first reaction was to establish the principles of mitigating these consequences: the right of return, decent conditions for those unable to return immediately, restoring security against looters and paramilitary groups, de-mining fields which presented a threat to civilians and hindered farming, and facilitating exchanges of prisoners,'' he said.
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